My Turbo LS1 Trans-Am build
- Thread starter willizm
- Start date
ill drink!
^yep, I'll probably buy them tomorrow. Did you ever add up how much everything set you back? I did and it almost made me cry,
First mistake is ever adding them up. Just put the receipts on the folder so the next guy who owns it can laugh at how much you spent.
That made me laugh. I hope to never get rid of this car. I wouldn't get anything for it if I wanted to sell anyway.
Got a pair of 317 heads off of a member on ls1tech pretty cheap. They look like they are in really good condition in the photos I've seen. We'll see when I get them.
I still need to get some gaskets. I'm thinking about getting the 6.0liter GM MLS gaskets. I'm also thinking I might need to get a bearing kit for my rockers. I'm just going to transfer my stock ones over to the new heads. Anyone got experience with those Comp trunnion bearing kits?
I still need to get some gaskets. I'm thinking about getting the 6.0liter GM MLS gaskets. I'm also thinking I might need to get a bearing kit for my rockers. I'm just going to transfer my stock ones over to the new heads. Anyone got experience with those Comp trunnion bearing kits?
Did you use the comp kit? Were you able to do it yourself or did you have a shop do it? I think I need some special tools and saw that some vendors would charge me to do the work, send me rockers with the kit installed and then I just send them back my old rockers. I'm thinking that might not be a bad deal.
Thats exactly who I'm looking at on ls1tech. Well if you were happy with them, then I think i'll give them a call and see what they can do for me. Swapping rockers from the stock 241 heads to the 317's is pretty straight forward and no compatibility issues, right?
6.0L MLS is what you want, or cometic if you're feelin rich. Unless the heads are fresh off a milling machine, I'd spend the $75-80 to have that done. I'd say do rocker bearings for sure, or upgrade to some pedestal mount if its in the budget. True... but doesn't hurt to drop a lil coin on something that will add stability to your valve train.
My budget is coming to it's end. I really want to get a handle of the easily inflatable budget. I'm going to get a set of trunion upgraded rockers from Texas Speed. Thats $250 and the gaskets are around $65-$80 for the GM MLS. Still want to get a turbo blanket too. Probably get the one from forcedinductions.
Got my studs in the mail, but they sent me the wrong ones. I got main studs and not the head studs that I originally ordered. Sending those back for the right ones, at least the vendor is upfront and taking care of it. Got my underdrive pulley with belts in the mail as well. Still waiting on the turbo kit and all the other odds and ends. Don't want KYTP to rush something if it isn't ready. It's only one guy there after all.
Got my studs in the mail, but they sent me the wrong ones. I got main studs and not the head studs that I originally ordered. Sending those back for the right ones, at least the vendor is upfront and taking care of it. Got my underdrive pulley with belts in the mail as well. Still waiting on the turbo kit and all the other odds and ends. Don't want KYTP to rush something if it isn't ready. It's only one guy there after all.
I think I paid 24 bucks a piece on MLS gaskets.
You may want to contact Jesse at Scoggin Dickey for any GM OEM parts, that includes any kind of gasket for your engine. They also carry just about everything else you're gonna need for LSx type projects. Check pricing with him before you spend any money at TSP.
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/member.php?u=3451
You may want to contact Jesse at Scoggin Dickey for any GM OEM parts, that includes any kind of gasket for your engine. They also carry just about everything else you're gonna need for LSx type projects. Check pricing with him before you spend any money at TSP.
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/member.php?u=3451
You do NOT need the 317's...common misconception about those heads. They flow ok...but you won't notice much difference. The difference you will notice is the lack of compression.....which cause a LS motor to be extremely laggy on the low end. Save some money,keep your 241's for now. The more compression the better so your combo will be responsive in the low end department. Its all in your tune. If your only going to be running up to 14-15 PSI..keep the 241's....then when you have the money..go with a good set of ETP..or all pro's with thick decks so you can turn up the wick and have some real fun.
Remember..the old school thinking is to lower compression. With the way Fuel injection is today...and the ability to tune it correctly...you can raise the compression and have a more responsive turbo car. We like to go 9.5:1 all the way to 11:1 compression on our turbo builds. The higher the comp...the better gas you should run. As long as your running an intercooler...you should have no problem with pump gas at the PSI level you seek. Then...if you want to go a little more..just add a meth kit.
Remember..the old school thinking is to lower compression. With the way Fuel injection is today...and the ability to tune it correctly...you can raise the compression and have a more responsive turbo car. We like to go 9.5:1 all the way to 11:1 compression on our turbo builds. The higher the comp...the better gas you should run. As long as your running an intercooler...you should have no problem with pump gas at the PSI level you seek. Then...if you want to go a little more..just add a meth kit.
Keep in mind that my compression is only going to drop to around 9.5:1. I'll keep the stock 241's if I'm finding it to be too laggy, but I'd rather have the compression drop a little from stock to be a little safer. This is a street car first and foremost and a drag car a couple weekends out of the year. This is my first turbo build I've ever done so I'm by no means an expert and wouldn't mind hearing more if I'm on the wrong track.
I would keep the 241's. The extra compression will make for a better car to drive. Like I said before...Its all in the tuning. We had a 11:1 LS1 with a PT76GTS and ran it on pump gas up to 16 pounds...no knock or detonation. I'm good friends with Brandon at Fast Motorsports, and I wouldn't have anybody else do the tuning. He's just that good.
But...If you do plan on going bigger with the boost I would run an aftermarket head. NOT a 317. 317's and 241's will eventually push water on a LS1 bore size around 18-20 pounds. Seen it many times. If you go head studs....torque the head studs to 92 ft pounds....trust me it helps with the stock castings.
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